San Francisco-based Ghirardelli has introduced a new line of milk chocolate—Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk. The line includes Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion™ with 32 percent cacao chocolate; Gourmet Milk Sea Salt Escape™ with sea salt and roasted almonds; and Gourmet Milk Coconut Rendezvous™, which features toasted coconut flakes. The Gourmet Milk line of products is available in […]
Category: Center Store
Center store news for grocery retailers: dry grocery, pantry staples, merchandising and category trends in the aisles.
See more center store coverage in Aisle Watch.
flipflop wines Adds Six New Varietals to Offerings
Livermore, Calif.-based flipflop wines has extended its wine line with six new varietals. The varietals, which include Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Sweet Red, Bubbly Chardonnay, Bubbly Moscato and Bubbly Pinot Grigio, will be available in stores starting this month. In addition, flipflop will launch several of its existing varietals in the 1.5-liter size in several states […]
Melton Promoted to Winemaker at Clos Du Val Winery
John Clews, COO and head winemaker at Clos Du Val Winery, has promoted Kristy Melton from assistant winemaker to winemaker at the Napa Valley winery. Melton, who was hired by the winery in 2010 to assist John in ongoing the enological modernization of Clos Du Val winemaking techniques and wine style, is expected to bring […]
Sugar Maker Banah Signs One of 2011’s Biggest Leases
Banah International, a sugar producer that plans to hire nearly 300 employees during the next three years, has leased more than 300,000 s.f. of space in Hialeah, Fla., owned by Terreno Realty Corp., reports the South Florida Business Journal. The 11-year deal, valued at between $15 and $20 million, for the facility at 3325 N.W. […]
Bebida Cited in Report Forecasting Growth for Relaxation Drinks
Statesville, N.C.-based Bebida Beverage Co., a developer, manufacturer and marketer of relaxation and energy drinks, anticipates a growing marketplace in 2012 for its relaxation drink products, including Koma Unwind and the upcoming Relax 5. “Bebida Beverage Co. is perfectly positioned to meet the growing demand for relaxation drinks, which is forecast to increase in 2012 […]
Aldi: Fit & Active line good for health, budget
New Year’s resolutions come and go, so start 2012 with easy and realistic habits that are smart for your health and wallet. Discount grocer Aldi offers shoppers a variety of health- and budget-conscious products under its exclusive Fit & Active line to make it easy and affordable to stay on track this year. “Our Fit […]
Special K Marks Today as National Weigh-in Day
A recent survey by the Kellogg Co.’s Special K® brand indicates that weight loss is often top-of-mind at the beginning of the New Year, with 67 percent of women saying it is the ideal time to begin a weight-loss plan. Now, in an effort to change the way women think and talk about weight loss, […]
Seattle Chocolates Introduces New Bars for Valentine’s Day
Seattle Chocolates is introducing Red Hot and Pink Bubbly, two new chocolate bars wrapped to appeal to him and to her—just in time for Valentine’s Day. Jean Thompson, Seattle Chocolates owner and CEO, says, “We had such a terrific response to our Summer Love bar flavors, customers asked for more. Valentine’s Day seemed the perfect […]
Bioenergy takes ingredient to new food, beverage applications
Since 2008, the sales of ribose as an energy supplement increased by more than 85 percent. This, in conjunction with $9 billion sales of functional energy drinks in 2011, suggests that demand has never been higher for ingredients with a variety of applications in functional food and beverage industries. Enter Bioenergy Ribose—a superior energy ingredient. […]
Winn-Dixie Issues Recall on Its Italian Green Beans Brand
Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has issued a voluntary recall on Winn-Dixie Brand Italian Green Beans sold in the 14.5-oz. can with a UPC code of 2114021236 and a best-by date of September 2014 due to concerns about a potential for in-shell peanuts mixed in with the beans. The Jacksonville, Fla.-based grocer said no reports of illness […]
Frieda’s Offers Chinese New Year Promotion Tips
Since 1973, Los Alamitos, Calif.-based Frieda’s has worked with produce retailers to promote Asian produce specialties for Chinese New Year. A longtime leader in the specialty Asian produce category, Frieda’s presents its recommendations for a “Year of the Dragon” display. Asian cultures around the world will be celebrating the 15-day long tradition, and the entrance […]
Coors Outscores Bud in ‘Taste Tests of Beer’
Looking to enjoy the last weeks of football season with the perfect brew? Coors regular topped Consumer Reports’ recent taste test of beers, blowing away nine brews including Budweiser and Bud Light. Name Tag and Big Flats store brands from Trader Joe’s and Walgreens, respectively, beat out top-sellers Corona Extra and Budweiser. The full report […]
Candy Hall of Fame Calls for Nominations
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) is seeking nominations for prospective candidates into the Candy Hall of Fame. The Candy Hall of Fame is the most prestigious honor that can be bestowed on an individual who has dedicated his or her career to the confectionery industry. To be considered for induction into the Candy Hall […]
Craft Brewers Tap into Growing Specialty Beer Market
Growing demand for specialty craft beers is prompting significant upgrades and investment from regional brewers, The Wall Street Journal reports. Smaller brewers are pouring millions into new brew kettles, fermenting tanks and bottling lines, while others are scooping up land and building new manufacturing facilities to meet growing demand. Craft sales were on track for […]
McCall Farms Providing Farm-Fresh Vegetables 170 Years Later
A family-owned cannery in Effingham, S.C., McCall Farms continues to provide farm-fresh canned vegetables, fruit and peanuts through its Margaret Holmes and Peanut Patch brands after more than 170 years in business. The history of McCall Farms dates back to 1838 when the family’s patriarch, James McCall, established a 2,000-acre farm. Through hard work, innovative […]
Diamond Foods Receives Clearance on Pringles Acquisition
Diamond Foods Inc. has received clearance from the United Kingdom’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on its pending acquisition of the Pringles business from The Procter & Gamble Co. The clearance by the OFT follows Diamond’s June announcement that the waiting period for U.S. antitrust review under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 […]
Seneca Foods and Allens Inc. Plan to Merge
Seneca Foods Corp. and Allens Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding contemplating a merger of the two companies in a stock-for-stock transaction.
Coca-Cola Celebrates 125th Anniversary
Coca-Cola plans to celebrate its 125th anniversary all summer long with a variety of activities from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The 125 Years of Summer Fun, beginning May 8th, features two summer-long programs, promotions, advertising and celebratory packaging. “For 125 years, Coca-Cola has refreshed the world and celebrated with people as they enjoy fun […]
J.M. Smucker Buys Rowland Coffee
J.M. Smucker Co. has paid $360 million for Miami-based Rowland Coffee Roasters, whose brands include Café Pilon, Café Bustelo, Café Oquendo, Medaglia d’Oro and El Pico brands. According to the South Florida Business Journal, a news release said Rowland’s 2010 revenue of more than $110 million makes it the nation’s largest coffee company marketing to […]
Diet Coke Passes Pepsi
As the soft drinks industry tries to recover from a long slide, Coca-Cola Co. has new bragging rights in its rivalry with PepsiCo reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Sales of Coca-Cola and Diet Coke dipped by half a percentage point and one point, respectively, in 2010. But sales of Pepsi-Cola fell 4.8 percent. Beyond the sales […]
